How Nebraska’s Primary Election System Works

Nebraska uses a closed primary system for partisan offices, meaning voters registered with a political party can only vote in that party’s primary election. At the polling place, voters receive the ballot for the party they are registered with and can only participate in that party’s primary races for that election.

Unaffiliated voters may be allowed to vote in certain party primaries if a political party permits it. Nebraska’s primary elections determine each party’s nominees for offices such as U.S. House, statewide positions, and state and local offices. The state also uses a nonpartisan primary system for its unicameral legislature, where all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation.